On a Jetty

Four boys carefully place their calloused feet on a jagged rock,Toeing out into the sun-danced lagoon;They sit, they laugh.Small reef-fish dart: red, yellow, orange.Boys reclining in the white afternoon.

A thick balm of ripe guava and banana wafts and mingles with dry brine.The loafing glide of an eagle ray catches a pair of boy's eyes,He smiles, ivory teeth simpering from sun-browned skin.The blunt-nosed ray trails its barbed tail, flops its fins in the water.The lithe boy lifts a sharp delicate staff, several times his height;A quick jerk sends the smooth vibrating shaft deep past sandpaper hide and through cartilage.

The delta-winged fish slowly flaps at the end of the pole.A quick tug dislodges the spear,And movement ceases.In the late afternoon, an acetylene sun sears distinction between sky and sea;Lapping reflections: sapphires and emeralds.Four boys recline, gaze out towards the horizon.Pacific.